This past Sunday I had the wonderful opportunity to speak at Sidney Luthren Brethren Church in Sidney, Montana, and share about Child Evangelism Fellowship, the children's ministry organization that I work for. Along with sharing about our ministry I was also given the opportunity to give the message. The following link is for the podcast of my message which was a presentation of the Wordless Book. Using the five colors of Gold, Black, Red, White and Green we are able to share the Gospel message with people. This presentation is the version I use when speaking to adults instead of children. The Wordless Book is a very easy witnessing tool that you can use in your own personal evangelism.
The Wordless Book, November 14th, 2010, Sidney Luthren Brethren Church, Leif E. Halvorson presenting
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Children Of The Kingdom
1) Text: Matthew 18:1-14 ESV
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
7"Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! 8 And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.
10"See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”
2) A Child is Humble (vs. 18:2-4)
A. Turn (v. 3)
i. turn around, change, change one’s thinking
ii. O.T. use can also mean “repent”
B. Humble (v. 4)
i. has humility
ii. does not consider one’s self sovereign
iii. does not consider one’s self better than others
iv. is void of self
a. an adult is “full” of his own thoughts,
own words, own deeds, looking to
himself (not humble) The disciples are
asking Christ “Which one of us is the
greatest (v. 1) possibly considering things
of which they had done that might warrant
an elevation of status. (not humble)
b. a child is “empty” and can therefore be
“filled” or led by it’s superior (Christ is
our superior) which directs and changes
its thoughts, words and deeds (humble)
c. the child responded to Christ and came
to Him simply because Christ called the
child
C. Dependant
i. must rely on someone to provide for them as they
are incapable
a. requires loves but cannot produce it for
themselves
b. requires things for sustenance (i.e. food,
shelter) but cannot produce it for
themselves.
c. cannot survive on its own, will die
3) A Child is Valued
A. We know this when Christ says: "Whoever receives one
such child in my name receives me”(v. 5)
i. a child who is received or welcomed by someone
is likewise receiving the parent because the
child is of the parent. A child is the parent’s own.
ii. a believer in Christ has been redeemed and
justified by Him. The believer is Christ’s own.
B. We know this when Christ gives us stern warnings:
i. “…but whoever causes one of these little ones
who believe in me to sin…” (v. 6)
a. It would be better to experience this type
of hopeless drowning than to cause
(tempt) “one of these little ones” to sin
b. In other words it would be better, for us,
to be dead than to tempt and lead one to
to sin.
ii. “…woe to the one by whom the temptation
comes!” (v. 7-9)
a. “woe” – doom to anyone who cause,
tempts, others to sin
b. it is very evident how much God hates
temptors, temptation and sin
C. We know this when God has his children watched over
(v. 10)
D. We know this when He seeks to save that which is lost
(vs. 12-13)
i. He rejoices when He saves his children
E. We know this because God does not wish His children
to be lost to eternal death. (v. 14)
4) A Child of the Kingdom
A. Must become like a child or we will be lost (v. 3)
i. The only way to become like children is for the
Law (i.e. the Ten Commandments) to expose,
convict and destroy the worldly adults that
we are.
a. We are selfish, self-centered, self-
-relient, self-pleasing, full of our thoughts,
our words, our deeds and like a sheep
have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6)
B. We are saved by Christ
i. Christ seeks after us like the shepherd who
searched for the lost sheep
ii. Lost in the wilderness due to our own choosing
of self, Christ saves us by grace through faith
when we are broken and have and contrite
hearts.
iii. He has redeemed us and has justified us before
the Father
A. Turn (v. 3)
i. turn around, change, change one’s thinking
ii. O.T. use can also mean “repent”
B. Humble (v. 4)
i. has humility
ii. does not consider one’s self sovereign
iii. does not consider one’s self better than others
iv. is void of self
a. an adult is “full” of his own thoughts,
own words, own deeds, looking to
himself (not humble) The disciples are
asking Christ “Which one of us is the
greatest (v. 1) possibly considering things
of which they had done that might warrant
an elevation of status. (not humble)
b. a child is “empty” and can therefore be
“filled” or led by it’s superior (Christ is
our superior) which directs and changes
its thoughts, words and deeds (humble)
c. the child responded to Christ and came
to Him simply because Christ called the
child
C. Dependant
i. must rely on someone to provide for them as they
are incapable
a. requires loves but cannot produce it for
themselves
b. requires things for sustenance (i.e. food,
shelter) but cannot produce it for
themselves.
c. cannot survive on its own, will die
3) A Child is Valued
A. We know this when Christ says: "Whoever receives one
such child in my name receives me”(v. 5)
i. a child who is received or welcomed by someone
is likewise receiving the parent because the
child is of the parent. A child is the parent’s own.
ii. a believer in Christ has been redeemed and
justified by Him. The believer is Christ’s own.
B. We know this when Christ gives us stern warnings:
i. “…but whoever causes one of these little ones
who believe in me to sin…” (v. 6)
a. It would be better to experience this type
of hopeless drowning than to cause
(tempt) “one of these little ones” to sin
b. In other words it would be better, for us,
to be dead than to tempt and lead one to
to sin.
ii. “…woe to the one by whom the temptation
comes!” (v. 7-9)
a. “woe” – doom to anyone who cause,
tempts, others to sin
b. it is very evident how much God hates
temptors, temptation and sin
C. We know this when God has his children watched over
(v. 10)
D. We know this when He seeks to save that which is lost
(vs. 12-13)
i. He rejoices when He saves his children
E. We know this because God does not wish His children
to be lost to eternal death. (v. 14)
4) A Child of the Kingdom
A. Must become like a child or we will be lost (v. 3)
i. The only way to become like children is for the
Law (i.e. the Ten Commandments) to expose,
convict and destroy the worldly adults that
we are.
a. We are selfish, self-centered, self-
-relient, self-pleasing, full of our thoughts,
our words, our deeds and like a sheep
have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6)
B. We are saved by Christ
i. Christ seeks after us like the shepherd who
searched for the lost sheep
ii. Lost in the wilderness due to our own choosing
of self, Christ saves us by grace through faith
when we are broken and have and contrite
hearts.
iii. He has redeemed us and has justified us before
the Father
RESOURCES:
TLSB (Concordia)
biblegateway.com
eSword
Commentary on Matthew (Lenski)
Jesu Juva
Soli Deo Gloria
TLSB (Concordia)
biblegateway.com
eSword
Commentary on Matthew (Lenski)
Jesu Juva
Soli Deo Gloria
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Reformation Week - Tuesday
 |
| Martin Luther tacking up the 95 Theses from the film "Luther" |
"The Ninety-Five Theses, composed originally in Latin, were posted by Martin Luther on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, on October 31, 1517. The Castle Church was used by the university as its "campus church" and as such the door served as a sort of public bulletin board for the academic community. The theses were a proposal for a discussion about the practice of indulgences. October 31, 1517, the day before All Saints Day, was chosen because the Castle Church was also home to one of the largest collection of relics in all of Western Christendom, owned by the Saxon Elector Frederick the Wise. Indulgences were granted to the faithful for viewing the many relics that were put on display on All Saints Day."
Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences Commonly Known as The 95 Theses by Dr. Martin Luther
Out of love for the truth and the desire to bring it to light, the following propositions will be discussed at Wittenberg, under the presidency of the Reverend Father Martin Luther, Master of Arts and of Sacred Theology, and Lecturer in Ordinary on the same at that place. Wherefore he requests that those who are unable to be present and debate orally with us, may do so by letter. In the Name our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.Jesu Juva
1. Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, when He said Poenitentiam agite, willed that the whole life of believers should be repentance.
2. This word cannot be understood to mean sacramental penance, i.e., confession and satisfaction, which is administered by the priests.
3. Yet it means not inward repentance only; nay, there is no inward repentance which does not outwardly work divers mortifications of the flesh.
4. The penalty [of sin], therefore, continues so long as hatred of self continues; for this is the true inward repentance, and continues until our entrance into the kingdom of heaven.
5. The pope does not intend to remit, and cannot remit any penalties other than those which he has imposed either by his own authority or by that of the Canons.
6. The pope cannot remit any guilt, except by declaring that it has been remitted by God and by assenting to God's remission; though, to be sure, he may grant remission in cases reserved to his judgment. If his right to grant remission in such cases were despised, the guilt would remain entirely unforgiven.
7. God remits guilt to no one whom He does not, at the same time, humble in all things and bring into subjection to His vicar, the priest.
8. The penitential canons are imposed only on the living, and, according to them, nothing should be imposed on the dying.
9. Therefore the Holy Spirit in the pope is kind to us, because in his decrees he always makes exception of the article of death and of necessity.
10. Ignorant and wicked are the doings of those priests who, in the case of the dying, reserve canonical penances for purgatory.
11. This changing of the canonical penalty to the penalty of purgatory is quite evidently one of the tares that were sown while the bishops slept.
12. In former times the canonical penalties were imposed not after, but before absolution, as tests of true contrition.
13. The dying are freed by death from all penalties; they are already dead to canonical rules, and have a right to be released from them.
14. The imperfect health [of soul], that is to say, the imperfect love, of the dying brings with it, of necessity, great fear; and the smaller the love, the greater is the fear.
15. This fear and horror is sufficient of itself alone (to say nothing of other things) to constitute the penalty of purgatory, since it is very near to the horror of despair.
16. Hell, purgatory, and heaven seem to differ as do despair, almost-despair, and the assurance of safety.
17. With souls in purgatory it seems necessary that horror should grow less and love increase.
18. It seems unproved, either by reason or Scripture, that they are outside the state of merit, that is to say, of increasing love.
19. Again, it seems unproved that they, or at least that all of them, are certain or assured of their own blessedness, though we may be quite certain of it.
20. Therefore by "full remission of all penalties" the pope means not actually "of all," but only of those imposed by himself.
21. Therefore those preachers of indulgences are in error, who say that by the pope's indulgences a man is freed from every penalty, and saved;
22. Whereas he remits to souls in purgatory no penalty which, according to the canons, they would have had to pay in this life.
23. If it is at all possible to grant to any one the remission of all penalties whatsoever, it is certain that this remission can be granted only to the most perfect, that is, to the very fewest.
24. It must needs be, therefore, that the greater part of the people are deceived by that indiscriminate and highsounding promise of release from penalty.
25. The power which the pope has, in a general way, over purgatory, is just like the power which any bishop or curate has, in a special way, within his own diocese or parish.
26. The pope does well when he grants remission to souls [in purgatory], not by the power of the keys (which he does not possess), but by way of intercession.
27. They preach man who say that so soon as the penny jingles into the money-box, the soul flies out [of purgatory].
28. It is certain that when the penny jingles into the money-box, gain and avarice can be increased, but the result of the intercession of the Church is in the power of God alone.
29. Who knows whether all the souls in purgatory wish to be bought out of it, as in the legend of Sts. Severinus and Paschal.
30. No one is sure that his own contrition is sincere; much less that he has attained full remission.
31. Rare as is the man that is truly penitent, so rare is also the man who truly buys indulgences, i.e., such men are most rare.
32. They will be condemned eternally, together with their teachers, who believe themselves sure of their salvation because they have letters of pardon.
33. Men must be on their guard against those who say that the pope's pardons are that inestimable gift of God by which man is reconciled to Him;
34. For these "graces of pardon" concern only the penalties of sacramental satisfaction, and these are appointed by man.
35. They preach no Christian doctrine who teach that contrition is not necessary in those who intend to buy souls out of purgatory or to buy confessionalia.
36. Every truly repentant Christian has a right to full remission of penalty and guilt, even without letters of pardon.
37. Every true Christian, whether living or dead, has part in all the blessings of Christ and the Church; and this is granted him by God, even without letters of pardon.
38. Nevertheless, the remission and participation [in the blessings of the Church] which are granted by the pope are in no way to be despised, for they are, as I have said, the declaration of divine remission.
39. It is most difficult, even for the very keenest theologians, at one and the same time to commend to the people the abundance of pardons and [the need of] true contrition.
40. True contrition seeks and loves penalties, but liberal pardons only relax penalties and cause them to be hated, or at least, furnish an occasion [for hating them].
41. Apostolic pardons are to be preached with caution, lest the people may falsely think them preferable to other good works of love.
42. Christians are to be taught that the pope does not intend the buying of pardons to be compared in any way to works of mercy.
43. Christians are to be taught that he who gives to the poor or lends to the needy does a better work than buying pardons;
44. Because love grows by works of love, and man becomes better; but by pardons man does not grow better, only more free from penalty.
45. Christians are to be taught that he who sees a man in need, and passes him by, and gives [his money] for pardons, purchases not the indulgences of the pope, but the indignation of God.
46. Christians are to be taught that unless they have more than they need, they are bound to keep back what is necessary for their own families, and by no means to squander it on pardons.
47. Christians are to be taught that the buying of pardons is a matter of free will, and not of commandment.
48. Christians are to be taught that the pope, in granting pardons, needs, and therefore desires, their devout prayer for him more than the money they bring.
49. Christians are to be taught that the pope's pardons are useful, if they do not put their trust in them; but altogether harmful, if through them they lose their fear of God.
50. Christians are to be taught that if the pope knew the exactions of the pardon-preachers, he would rather that St. Peter's church should go to ashes, than that it should be built up with the skin, flesh and bones of his sheep.
51. Christians are to be taught that it would be the pope's wish, as it is his duty, to give of his own money to very many of those from whom certain hawkers of pardons cajole money, even though the church of St. Peter might have to be sold.
52. The assurance of salvation by letters of pardon is vain, even though the commissary, nay, even though the pope himself, were to stake his soul upon it.
53. They are enemies of Christ and of the pope, who bid the Word of God be altogether silent in some Churches, in order that pardons may be preached in others.
54. Injury is done the Word of God when, in the same sermon, an equal or a longer time is spent on pardons than on this Word.
55. It must be the intention of the pope that if pardons, which are a very small thing, are celebrated with one bell, with single processions and ceremonies, then the Gospel, which is the very greatest thing, should be preached with a hundred bells, a hundred processions, a hundred ceremonies.
56. The "treasures of the Church," out of which the pope. grants indulgences, are not sufficiently named or known among the people of Christ.
57. That they are not temporal treasures is certainly evident, for many of the vendors do not pour out such treasures so easily, but only gather them.
58. Nor are they the merits of Christ and the Saints, for even without the pope, these always work grace for the inner man, and the cross, death, and hell for the outward man.
59. St. Lawrence said that the treasures of the Church were the Church's poor, but he spoke according to the usage of the word in his own time.
60. Without rashness we say that the keys of the Church, given by Christ's merit, are that treasure;
61. For it is clear that for the remission of penalties and of reserved cases, the power of the pope is of itself sufficient.
62. The true treasure of the Church is the Most Holy Gospel of the glory and the grace of God.
63. But this treasure is naturally most odious, for it makes the first to be last.
64. On the other hand, the treasure of indulgences is naturally most acceptable, for it makes the last to be first.
65. Therefore the treasures of the Gospel are nets with which they formerly were wont to fish for men of riches.
66. The treasures of the indulgences are nets with which they now fish for the riches of men.
67. The indulgences which the preachers cry as the "greatest graces" are known to be truly such, in so far as they promote gain.
68. Yet they are in truth the very smallest graces compared with the grace of God and the piety of the Cross.
69. Bishops and curates are bound to admit the commissaries of apostolic pardons, with all reverence.
70. But still more are they bound to strain all their eyes and attend with all their ears, lest these men preach their own dreams instead of the commission of the pope.
71. He who speaks against the truth of apostolic pardons, let him be anathema and accursed!
72. But he who guards against the lust and license of the pardon-preachers, let him be blessed!
73. The pope justly thunders against those who, by any art, contrive the injury of the traffic in pardons.
74. But much more does he intend to thunder against those who use the pretext of pardons to contrive the injury of holy love and truth.
75. To think the papal pardons so great that they could absolve a man even if he had committed an impossible sin and violated the Mother of God -- this is madness.
76. We say, on the contrary, that the papal pardons are not able to remove the very least of venial sins, so far as its guilt is concerned.
77. It is said that even St. Peter, if he were now Pope, could not bestow greater graces; this is blasphemy against St. Peter and against the pope.
78. We say, on the contrary, that even the present pope, and any pope at all, has greater graces at his disposal; to wit, the Gospel, powers, gifts of healing, etc., as it is written in I. Corinthians xii.
79. To say that the cross, emblazoned with the papal arms, which is set up [by the preachers of indulgences], is of equal worth with the Cross of Christ, is blasphemy.
80. The bishops, curates and theologians who allow such talk to be spread among the people, will have an account to render.
81. This unbridled preaching of pardons makes it no easy matter, even for learned men, to rescue the reverence due to the pope from slander, or even from the shrewd questionings of the laity.
82. To wit: -- "Why does not the pope empty purgatory, for the sake of holy love and of the dire need of the souls that are there, if he redeems an infinite number of souls for the sake of miserable money with which to build a Church? The former reasons would be most just; the latter is most trivial."
83. Again: -- "Why are mortuary and anniversary masses for the dead continued, and why does he not return or permit the withdrawal of the endowments founded on their behalf, since it is wrong to pray for the redeemed?"
84. Again: -- "What is this new piety of God and the pope, that for money they allow a man who is impious and their enemy to buy out of purgatory the pious soul of a friend of God, and do not rather, because of that pious and beloved soul's own need, free it for pure love's sake?"
85. Again: -- "Why are the penitential canons long since in actual fact and through disuse abrogated and dead, now satisfied by the granting of indulgences, as though they were still alive and in force?"
86. Again: -- "Why does not the pope, whose wealth is to-day greater than the riches of the richest, build just this one church of St. Peter with his own money, rather than with the money of poor believers?"
87. Again: -- "What is it that the pope remits, and what participation does he grant to those who, by perfect contrition, have a right to full remission and participation?"
88. Again: -- "What greater blessing could come to the Church than if the pope were to do a hundred times a day what he now does once, and bestow on every believer these remissions and participations?"
89. "Since the pope, by his pardons, seeks the salvation of souls rather than money, why does he suspend the indulgences and pardons granted heretofore, since these have equal efficacy?"
90. To repress these arguments and scruples of the laity by force alone, and not to resolve them by giving reasons, is to expose the Church and the pope to the ridicule of their enemies, and to make Christians unhappy.
91. If, therefore, pardons were preached according to the spirit and mind of the pope, all these doubts would be readily resolved; nay, they would not exist.
92. Away, then, with all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, "Peace, peace," and there is no peace!
93. Blessed be all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, "Cross, cross," and there is no cross!
94. Christians are to be exhorted that they be diligent in following Christ, their Head, through penalties, deaths, and hell;
95. And thus be confident of entering into heaven rather through many tribulations, than through the assurance of peace.
Soli Deo Gloria
Reformation Week - Monday
Monday's Reformation Week post deals with reformation media, including: a documentary from PBS called "Martin Luther: A Reluctant Revolutionary", a presentation on Law and Gospel by CLB, audio from Issues Etc. and a clip on Justification from Todd Friel's video "On the Shoulder's of Giants" which is about how the reformation fathers would have dealt with some of today's issues. (I would highly encourage anyone who wants to have a birdseye view of the reformation and how to practically apply the lessons learned to check out Todd Friel's "On The Shoulders of Giants")
Law and Gospel from Church of the Lutheran Brethren on Vimeo.
Today's exerpt from the Book of Concord is from the first of the three Ecumenical Creeds:
The Apostles' CreedNow, I've run into more than one situation where people can get "cautious" over "adhering" to the Apostles Creed because it's "not in the Bible". Actually, just to clarify, it is in the bible. You're familiar with Cliff's Notes? Well, the Apostle's Creed is essentially that for the Christian Faith taken straight from the bible. Check out this link to see the references from the Bible that the Aposle's Creed is taken from.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic* Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
* catholic means "universal" and is not a reference to the Roman Catholic Church.
Jesu Juva
Soli Deo Gloria
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Reformation Week
In celebration of Reformation Sunday, CLB will be making it a week-long event. They will kick it off today with a brief summary of Martin Luther's life, including a short explanation of the reason behind his writing of the 95 Theses. Throughout this coming week they will post resources, media and quotes related to the Reformation and Martin Luther, and they will also share some history of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren.
Click Here for Sunday's Post
My goal this week is to start regularly posting to the Faith, Family, Life Blog as things have finally begun to settle down for my family. After this week I plan on making weekly posts with more as possiple. This week, along with the daily Reformation posts I plan to also post excerpts from the Book of Concord which contains the Lutheran Confessions. Enjoy Reformation Week!
Click Here for Sunday's Post
My goal this week is to start regularly posting to the Faith, Family, Life Blog as things have finally begun to settle down for my family. After this week I plan on making weekly posts with more as possiple. This week, along with the daily Reformation posts I plan to also post excerpts from the Book of Concord which contains the Lutheran Confessions. Enjoy Reformation Week!
Jesu Juva
Soli Deo Gloria
Friday, September 24, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
5 Lessons for the Bowbells Graduating Class of 2010
WORDS FOR MY STUDENTS
On Sunday, May 23rd, 2010, it was my honor to present the Bowbells Music Booster Scholarship Award to one of my graduating seniors, along with sharing with them some final words at the commencement ceremony. The following are the five lessons I shared with them:
1. Most importantly: When it's time to check out, be sure you know where you're going. The only way to know for sure is to talk to the one who makes the decision on your final destination. (What I wanted to say was: "Be sure you know where you're going when you die. Without Christ everything else is meaningless.")
2. You will come across situations where there is definitely a right or wrong choice to make. If you know what's right, there really isn't a choice to make. Like music on a page with notes and dynamics, articulations and phrasing, just do it. If you aren't sure or need help in doing so, know there is no shame in asking for help. (I would have like to have added "pray for guidance") Admittedly this is one of those things that is easier to say in a word and can be more difficult to exercise in practice.
3. Size and numbers do not dictate your success, you do. You may be from a school that is small in size, however, you are from a community that is big in heart.
4. Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.
5. You'll probably come across this one alot: Just because what you can do won't necessarily make a difference, doesn't mean you still shouldn't try. What may seam like impending failure in the worlds eyes might not be what God has planned for you to accomplish in those situations.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
From Music Education to CEF
ME RIGHT NOW v1.0 
For the past three years I have been a K-12 music teacher for Bowbells Public Schools in Bowbells, ND. I have really enjoyed being a teacher here and have really enjoyed getting to know my students more. It has been a wonderful job and together the students and I have accomplished some fantastic things: We re-established a solid athletic band which added to our pep band games, we started a marching band which gave the school local and regional recognition, US sentator Byron Dorgan nominated our Eskimo Marching Band to represent the state of North Dakota in the 2009 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C., our choir program has progressed greatly where students are feeling more comfortable singing out which includes being able to hear all of the men sing!, and our band program has progressed to where we have been able to perform standard band works such as "Variations on a Korean Folk Song" as well as Gustav Holst's "First Suite in E-Flat".
SEEING THE SIGNS
Over the past year and a half some things really began to gnaw on my mind. I heard elementary students talk about their favorite parts of movies that I knew were R-rated films that were loaded with sexual inuendo, telling jokes to each other that are inappropriate regardless of age, I've had conversations with students from the Methodist and Lutheran (ELCA) churches who were confirmed making statements such as "I hope I'm good enough to get to heaven" and "I'm not sure, but I think I'll have done enough good stuff that God will let me.", and this really saddens my heart, I know of instances at our school where younger elementary students were playing house and said "You be the mom, I'll be the step-dad and you be the step-dad's girlfriend."
Parents take their kids to church on Sunday and Wednesday night for youth group a and confirmation and think their job is done. After all, they've been baptised already and once their confirmed they're going to heaven right? Broken homes are commonplace, divorce has no shame, father's don't lead their families and church attendance has become a thing of tradition where someplace the message got lost between the older generation and the younger generations. Work hard, be a good person and all will be well. Please understand that I am not judging, it's mearly an observation.
A FATHER'S DUTY
On June 10th of 2009 I was informed by my wife's mother on my cell-phone while I was on my way to Belfield, ND to spray oil sites that my wife Kim was on her way to Minot, ND to give birth to our twin daughters Signe and Brynja. (Yes, with a name like Leif and daughters named Signe and Brynja you could easily guess that I'm of Norwegian decent) Prior our twins' arrivals my wife and I had been preparing to be parents. She was raised Baptist and I was raised in the Alliance (Christian and Missionary Alliance) but many of my doctrinal views are Lutheran. We spent a lot of time in conversation and prayer about Baby Dedication and Infant Baptism. Baby dedication was an easy decision. Infant Baptism was another story. We prayed, searched the Bible, listened to online sermons and read several books including Ole Hallesby's "Infant Baptism and Adult Conversion".
Our daughters were both dedicated and baptised. In both instances we were asked questions before a congregation of friends and family in regards to our biblical duties to our children. Kim and I had to verbally answer questions like "will you see to your daughters Christian education?" and the like. Now, Kim and I meant what we said each time when we answered "yes", and as we continued answering the questions a realization struck me with such conviction. It's my duty as a father to make sure that my daughters understand that we are sinful people who deserve hell, so we need Christ because salvation comes from Him alone. If they reject Him, I must do everything I can, take every opportunity that God gives me to witness to them until I know that they know that they are saved, even if it's to my dying breath. That really hit me hard. I don't say this to make anyone think that I think I'm some kind of super-Christian, because I'm not.
BACK TO REALITY
So I worked with my students day after day, teaching them how to excel in music and found myself attempting to "infiltrate" the learning environment with Christ. I know that He alone saves and I know that supposedly many of my students know that, but I was really having doubts as to whether or not they knew for sure if they knew Christ. "I hope I'm good enough to go to heaven." As I was loving my infant daughters I began to realize how much I cared for my students. As I was prepping and researching Christ-centered materials that would be age appropriate for my daughters as they grew I found myself looking for opportunities to witness to my students.
I was able to teach how to be better musicians, how to used music to get the crowd fired up to root for our teams. I was able to teach about "size and numbers don't dictate our success.....we do" and "just because you can do something doesn't mean you always should" and "just because what you can do won't make a difference, it doesn't mean you still shouldn't try". Our marching program had gotten our little community excited. We'd done the unthinkable when our small band of 24 raised 30 some odd thousand dollars in 6 months to represent our state at the National Memorial Day Parade. However, the day came when I realized that none of what we had accomplished meant anything if any of my students were going to hell.
MINISTRY AWARENESS
I had heard of Child Evangelism Fellowship before. From what I gathered it was similar to Campus Crusade for Christ, but was on more of an elementary level as opposed to a college level.
When I was in college at Dickinson State University I was actively involved in Campus Crusade for Christ. I was worship leader for a year and half until I had to step down due to "husbandly" duties. I participated in the decipleship classes where we learned how to witness to people and would from time to time go out in groups across the campus to witness to students.
The parents of one of my students are the directors of the Northwest Chapter of CEF of North Dakota, the chapter that Bowbells is in. One day at school I was introduced to Todd, the father of my student. We probably talked for 45 minutes during my prep period. Turns out we knew a lot of the same people and had many of the same concerns for the students. Todd would later invite me to the church that his family attends when Kim and I realized that we would no longer be able to make the weekly hour and fifteen minute trek to Minot to attend the church we had been going to now that our daughters had been born. After church one day I was invited out to lunch with Todd's family. (I saw "I" because Kim was at home recouping with the girls) That day I started probing about CEF. Todd gladly answered my questions and said "You should really talk to my dad. I know they need a director in Eastern Montana." I didn't think I was in that place yet. People like my wife and I who have kids don't leave the safety of a steady teaching job to go into a full time ministry....
BACK TO REALITY AGAIN
I continued to teach. Continued to pray. CEF. "Naw, that's not for us." More teaching, more prayer for my students. CEF. "Nope. that's definately not for us." More teaching, heart aching for the salvation of my students. CEF. "Ok God, I'm listening."
God kept on bringing CEF back to mind. Kim and I kept dismissing it. He'd bring it back again. Thinking back to that Sunday afternoon when I'd talked with Todd, Kim and I though that it was time I called his father Morris.
It was an interesting spot for sure. Kim and I both loved our jobs and loved working with our students, but we felt that God was leading us away from that. I'm a guy who is willing to take some chances if it's just going to affect me. I'm willing to be a bit daring from time to time. (I've been climbing up the ladders of grain bins at the farm since I was 5) But this decision wouldn't be just affecting me, it would also be affecting my wife and kids. Bach said it best. "Jesu Juva" Jesus help me.
PIECES FALLING INTO PLACE
After much time spent in the Word, in prayer, and close friends and family praying for us, I filled out my application for CEF. Time passes. "Leif," Morris says,"we just got your last reference in. Things are looking good." A tough decision came up. The only day that Kim and I would be able to meet with the Montana State Board for CEF coincided with Williston Band Day. I'm the guy who revolutionized the idea of marching at our school, and this is just one of those parades that the students and I should really do. "Jesu Juva." Instead of driving to Williston that day with a bus full of marching band kids Kim and I drove to Miles City, MT to meet with the CEF state board. The meeting goes well. "I'll give you a call on Monday or Tuesday" Doug, the state director tells me. He's very optimistic.
Monday comes. I'm prepping for a concert that I've got on Thursday, potentially my last concert, and Thursday is also the day that I either have to turn in a signed contract or have a letter of resignation turned in. Monday night I don't recieve a call. Tuesday comes. Kim checks the answering during lunch. "Leif, one of the board members left a message saying he'll call us tonight." I continue prepping for Thursday's concert. We get home. He calls. "Leif, I'm calling to say that we're happy to let you know that by unanimous concent we want to offer the director position of the Eastern Montana District." Wednesday morning I would turn in my and Kim's letters of resignation. I'd given my school board president, my high school principal and my superintendant a heads up that we might not be teaching the next year. They were bummed but understood. When I handed my letter to my superintendant, he looked saddened, but then he smiled and shook my hand.
ME RIGHT NOW v2.0
I've had to do some very difficult things in my life. Telling my students that I was not going to be their teacher anymore is the single most difficult thing I've ever had to do. I love those kids. They were the first kids I ever had before my daughters were born. It was through them that God showed me how badly kids need Christ. I know that He wouldn't lead Kim and me away from them unless he had a better plan for both them and my family. So once I again I remember Bach, the great church musician and composer, and what we inscribed at the beginning and what he inscribed at the end of his compositions. "Jesu Juva" and "Soli Deo Gloria".
Jesus Help Me.
To God Alone be the Glory.
For the past three years I have been a K-12 music teacher for Bowbells Public Schools in Bowbells, ND. I have really enjoyed being a teacher here and have really enjoyed getting to know my students more. It has been a wonderful job and together the students and I have accomplished some fantastic things: We re-established a solid athletic band which added to our pep band games, we started a marching band which gave the school local and regional recognition, US sentator Byron Dorgan nominated our Eskimo Marching Band to represent the state of North Dakota in the 2009 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C., our choir program has progressed greatly where students are feeling more comfortable singing out which includes being able to hear all of the men sing!, and our band program has progressed to where we have been able to perform standard band works such as "Variations on a Korean Folk Song" as well as Gustav Holst's "First Suite in E-Flat".SEEING THE SIGNS
Over the past year and a half some things really began to gnaw on my mind. I heard elementary students talk about their favorite parts of movies that I knew were R-rated films that were loaded with sexual inuendo, telling jokes to each other that are inappropriate regardless of age, I've had conversations with students from the Methodist and Lutheran (ELCA) churches who were confirmed making statements such as "I hope I'm good enough to get to heaven" and "I'm not sure, but I think I'll have done enough good stuff that God will let me.", and this really saddens my heart, I know of instances at our school where younger elementary students were playing house and said "You be the mom, I'll be the step-dad and you be the step-dad's girlfriend."
Parents take their kids to church on Sunday and Wednesday night for youth group a and confirmation and think their job is done. After all, they've been baptised already and once their confirmed they're going to heaven right? Broken homes are commonplace, divorce has no shame, father's don't lead their families and church attendance has become a thing of tradition where someplace the message got lost between the older generation and the younger generations. Work hard, be a good person and all will be well. Please understand that I am not judging, it's mearly an observation.
A FATHER'S DUTY
On June 10th of 2009 I was informed by my wife's mother on my cell-phone while I was on my way to Belfield, ND to spray oil sites that my wife Kim was on her way to Minot, ND to give birth to our twin daughters Signe and Brynja. (Yes, with a name like Leif and daughters named Signe and Brynja you could easily guess that I'm of Norwegian decent) Prior our twins' arrivals my wife and I had been preparing to be parents. She was raised Baptist and I was raised in the Alliance (Christian and Missionary Alliance) but many of my doctrinal views are Lutheran. We spent a lot of time in conversation and prayer about Baby Dedication and Infant Baptism. Baby dedication was an easy decision. Infant Baptism was another story. We prayed, searched the Bible, listened to online sermons and read several books including Ole Hallesby's "Infant Baptism and Adult Conversion".
Our daughters were both dedicated and baptised. In both instances we were asked questions before a congregation of friends and family in regards to our biblical duties to our children. Kim and I had to verbally answer questions like "will you see to your daughters Christian education?" and the like. Now, Kim and I meant what we said each time when we answered "yes", and as we continued answering the questions a realization struck me with such conviction. It's my duty as a father to make sure that my daughters understand that we are sinful people who deserve hell, so we need Christ because salvation comes from Him alone. If they reject Him, I must do everything I can, take every opportunity that God gives me to witness to them until I know that they know that they are saved, even if it's to my dying breath. That really hit me hard. I don't say this to make anyone think that I think I'm some kind of super-Christian, because I'm not.
BACK TO REALITY
So I worked with my students day after day, teaching them how to excel in music and found myself attempting to "infiltrate" the learning environment with Christ. I know that He alone saves and I know that supposedly many of my students know that, but I was really having doubts as to whether or not they knew for sure if they knew Christ. "I hope I'm good enough to go to heaven." As I was loving my infant daughters I began to realize how much I cared for my students. As I was prepping and researching Christ-centered materials that would be age appropriate for my daughters as they grew I found myself looking for opportunities to witness to my students.
I was able to teach how to be better musicians, how to used music to get the crowd fired up to root for our teams. I was able to teach about "size and numbers don't dictate our success.....we do" and "just because you can do something doesn't mean you always should" and "just because what you can do won't make a difference, it doesn't mean you still shouldn't try". Our marching program had gotten our little community excited. We'd done the unthinkable when our small band of 24 raised 30 some odd thousand dollars in 6 months to represent our state at the National Memorial Day Parade. However, the day came when I realized that none of what we had accomplished meant anything if any of my students were going to hell.
MINISTRY AWARENESS
I had heard of Child Evangelism Fellowship before. From what I gathered it was similar to Campus Crusade for Christ, but was on more of an elementary level as opposed to a college level.
When I was in college at Dickinson State University I was actively involved in Campus Crusade for Christ. I was worship leader for a year and half until I had to step down due to "husbandly" duties. I participated in the decipleship classes where we learned how to witness to people and would from time to time go out in groups across the campus to witness to students.
The parents of one of my students are the directors of the Northwest Chapter of CEF of North Dakota, the chapter that Bowbells is in. One day at school I was introduced to Todd, the father of my student. We probably talked for 45 minutes during my prep period. Turns out we knew a lot of the same people and had many of the same concerns for the students. Todd would later invite me to the church that his family attends when Kim and I realized that we would no longer be able to make the weekly hour and fifteen minute trek to Minot to attend the church we had been going to now that our daughters had been born. After church one day I was invited out to lunch with Todd's family. (I saw "I" because Kim was at home recouping with the girls) That day I started probing about CEF. Todd gladly answered my questions and said "You should really talk to my dad. I know they need a director in Eastern Montana." I didn't think I was in that place yet. People like my wife and I who have kids don't leave the safety of a steady teaching job to go into a full time ministry....
BACK TO REALITY AGAIN
I continued to teach. Continued to pray. CEF. "Naw, that's not for us." More teaching, more prayer for my students. CEF. "Nope. that's definately not for us." More teaching, heart aching for the salvation of my students. CEF. "Ok God, I'm listening."
God kept on bringing CEF back to mind. Kim and I kept dismissing it. He'd bring it back again. Thinking back to that Sunday afternoon when I'd talked with Todd, Kim and I though that it was time I called his father Morris.
It was an interesting spot for sure. Kim and I both loved our jobs and loved working with our students, but we felt that God was leading us away from that. I'm a guy who is willing to take some chances if it's just going to affect me. I'm willing to be a bit daring from time to time. (I've been climbing up the ladders of grain bins at the farm since I was 5) But this decision wouldn't be just affecting me, it would also be affecting my wife and kids. Bach said it best. "Jesu Juva" Jesus help me.
PIECES FALLING INTO PLACE
After much time spent in the Word, in prayer, and close friends and family praying for us, I filled out my application for CEF. Time passes. "Leif," Morris says,"we just got your last reference in. Things are looking good." A tough decision came up. The only day that Kim and I would be able to meet with the Montana State Board for CEF coincided with Williston Band Day. I'm the guy who revolutionized the idea of marching at our school, and this is just one of those parades that the students and I should really do. "Jesu Juva." Instead of driving to Williston that day with a bus full of marching band kids Kim and I drove to Miles City, MT to meet with the CEF state board. The meeting goes well. "I'll give you a call on Monday or Tuesday" Doug, the state director tells me. He's very optimistic.
Monday comes. I'm prepping for a concert that I've got on Thursday, potentially my last concert, and Thursday is also the day that I either have to turn in a signed contract or have a letter of resignation turned in. Monday night I don't recieve a call. Tuesday comes. Kim checks the answering during lunch. "Leif, one of the board members left a message saying he'll call us tonight." I continue prepping for Thursday's concert. We get home. He calls. "Leif, I'm calling to say that we're happy to let you know that by unanimous concent we want to offer the director position of the Eastern Montana District." Wednesday morning I would turn in my and Kim's letters of resignation. I'd given my school board president, my high school principal and my superintendant a heads up that we might not be teaching the next year. They were bummed but understood. When I handed my letter to my superintendant, he looked saddened, but then he smiled and shook my hand.
ME RIGHT NOW v2.0
I've had to do some very difficult things in my life. Telling my students that I was not going to be their teacher anymore is the single most difficult thing I've ever had to do. I love those kids. They were the first kids I ever had before my daughters were born. It was through them that God showed me how badly kids need Christ. I know that He wouldn't lead Kim and me away from them unless he had a better plan for both them and my family. So once I again I remember Bach, the great church musician and composer, and what we inscribed at the beginning and what he inscribed at the end of his compositions. "Jesu Juva" and "Soli Deo Gloria".
Jesus Help Me.
To God Alone be the Glory.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)